Abkhazia and South Ossetia model irrelevant for Cyprus, Transnistria and Karabakh

Abkhazia and South Ossetia model irrelevant for Cyprus, Transnistria and Karabakh

02.10.2008 12:38 GMT+04:00

PanARMENIAN.Net

Now many are trying to build all sorts of parallels between the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia with other internationally unrecognized entities, including northern Cyprus, Russia's Foreign Minister said.

"It's unclear, however, where those "experts" were after the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence of. It wasn't us who opened a Pandora's box. So, I advise to be cautious when drawing parallels, which are absolutely irrelevant in the case of Cyprus, Nagorno Karabakh and Transnistria," Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Elefterotipia Greek newspaper, the RF MFA press office reported.

"In all these cases a negotiation process is going on; neither of the parties undermines the settlement mechanisms and is not going to use force, as the current Georgian regime did, violating its obligations," he said.

"Our fundamental stance on the Cyprus problem is changeable. We speak out for a just, viable and comprehensive solution for all Cypriots, both Greeks and Turks on the basis of the relevant decisions of the UN Security Council and the voluntary the consent of the sides. Russia's recognition of northern Cyprus is out of question," he added.

Commenting on Iran's nuclear program, the Minister Lavrov said, "Our Caucasus policy is not an article of commerce or dubious deals. We stand for peaceful diplomatic resolution of the problem on the basis of IAEA and UN Security Council's decisions. Any pressure and, moreover, use of force will immediately destabilize the region."